Earth Science Unit 4: Astronomy Flashcards
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Questions and Answers

Which explanation of the solar system best fits the observations of the planets and how they orbit the sun?

  • The planets were formed by random collisions in space.
  • The planets were formed separately and later captured by the sun.
  • The sun and planets formed from a collapsing spinning cloud of gas and dust. (correct)
  • The planets were created by a series of large explosions.
  • What is formed from leftovers in the solar system?

    comet

    Which scientist determined that the farther a planet is from the sun, the longer it takes to orbit the sun?

    Kepler

    What object is made of frozen gas, ice, and dust that orbits in the outermost reaches of the solar system?

    <p>Kuiper Belt object</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is true for both gas planets and terrestrial planets?

    <p>They are a round shape</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following has the highest energy?

    <p>Gamma rays</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which feature indicated a period of heavy bombardment followed by a period of low bombardment in our solar system?

    <p>The low crater density of the lunar maria</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which path is the correct path of light through a reflecting telescope?

    <p>primary mirror→secondary mirror→eyepiece→eye</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When a sunlike star's hydrogen runs out, at first it expands into __________.

    <p>a red giant</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of radiation would you look for in a star to demonstrate that nuclear fusion was occurring inside?

    <p>gamma rays</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which classification describes the Milky Way?

    <p>Regular spiral</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which object would best be identified by a periodic Doppler shift in a star's spectrum along with a dip in the star's light intensity?

    <p>planet</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do scientists know that the universe is expanding?

    <p>The galaxies are moving away from each other, and the temperatures are decreasing.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    At what position of the earth in its orbit is it summertime in the Northern Hemisphere?

    <p>Position 1</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What planet is the closest to the sun?

    <p>Mercury</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Mercury's high density suggests what?

    <p>That it has a large nickel iron core</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What planet has no moons?

    <p>Venus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What planet is the brightest?

    <p>Venus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Venus rotate?

    <p>Venus rotates clockwise</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What planet gives us reasons to suggest it was tectonically active 3 billion years ago?

    <p>Mars</p> Signup and view all the answers

    There is reason to believe there is what on Mars?

    <p>Ice</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What 2 planets have similar atmospheres?

    <p>Mars and Venus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What planets are the inner planets?

    <p>Mercury, Venus, Mars, Earth</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What planet is 98% of the mass of all the planets in the solar system?

    <p>Jupiter</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name the characteristics of the outer planets?

    <p>They all have some kind of rings and are cold</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What planet has a big red spot?

    <p>Jupiter</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the largest planet?

    <p>Saturn</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What planet has a different rotational axis than the rest of the planets?

    <p>Saturn</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which planet spins on its side?

    <p>Uranus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which planet has very tiny rings?

    <p>Uranus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What planet was predicted before it was discovered?

    <p>Neptune</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where does Neptune's blue color come from?

    <p>The methane gas in the atmosphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    From Earth we always see the same side of the moon?

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name the 2 kinds of terrain found on the moon?

    <p>Highlands, lowlands</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Remains of ancient lava flow is what?

    <p>Sinuous Rilles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Solar System Formation and Objects

    • The solar system formed from a collapsing spinning cloud of gas and dust.
    • Comets are formed from leftover materials in the solar system.
    • Kuiper Belt objects consist of frozen gas, ice, and dust located in the outer reaches of the solar system.

    Planetary Characteristics

    • Both gas planets and terrestrial planets have a round shape.
    • Mercury is the closest planet to the sun and has a large nickel-iron core suggested by its high density.
    • Venus has no moons and is the brightest planet, rotating clockwise.
    • Mars shows evidence of tectonic activity from 3 billion years ago and is believed to have ice.

    Outer Planets

    • Jupiter accounts for 98% of the total mass of all planets in the solar system; it features a prominent Great Red Spot.
    • Saturn is the largest planet and has a unique rotational axis compared to other planets, along with its rings.
    • Uranus spins on its side and has very tiny rings, while both Uranus and Neptune's atmospheres have similarities.
    • Neptune's blue color is due to methane gas present in its atmosphere, and it was predicted before its discovery.

    Astronomical Phenomena

    • Gamma rays are the type of radiation to look for to demonstrate nuclear fusion in stars.
    • The expanding universe is evidenced by galaxies moving away from each other, along with decreasing temperatures.

    Lunar and Celestial Features

    • The low crater density of the lunar maria indicates a period of heavy bombardment followed by low bombardment.
    • The moon shows consistent visible features from Earth, which is why we observe the same side always.
    • Moon's terrain includes highlands and lowlands, with ancient lava flow remnants referred to as sinuous rilles.

    Observational Astronomy

    • The light path in a reflecting telescope is: primary mirror → secondary mirror → eyepiece → eye.
    • A periodic Doppler shift in a star's spectrum, alongside dips in light intensity, indicates the presence of a planet.

    Earth’s Orbit

    • The Northern Hemisphere experiences summer when Earth is at Position 1 in its orbit.

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    Test your knowledge of astronomy concepts from Earth Science Unit 4 with these flashcards. Topics include the formation of the solar system, characteristics of planets, and significant scientific observations. Get ready to challenge yourself and enhance your understanding of our universe!

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